Elisa Monte Dance (EMD), a renowned modern dance company founded by former Martha Graham principal, Elisa Monte and currently helmed by Artistic Director Tiffany Rea-Fisher celebrates its 38th anniversary season with the establishment of an Anchor Partnership at The Flea Theater located in Manhattan. This partnership offers itinerant artistic companies the ability to leverage The Flea Theater’s in-house support system, and to further their artistic reach. This is EMD’s inaugural season as an Anchor Partner at The Flea Theater.  

For the company’s May 9-12 season, Rea-Fisher will present the world premiere of “And Then They Were” a meditative reaction to the turbulent nature of the world. This ethereal work celebrates the moments of beauty and light hidden in the everyday and is the first repertory piece for EMD, which incorporates pointe work into its choreography but stays true to the modern dance canon.  

Audiences will also be able to experience two excerpts. “H.E.R.” is commissioned by the uptown arts organization, Harlem Stage, as part of their celebration of the Centennial of the Harlem Renaissance and will premiere in February 2020. It pays homage to the artistic work and lives of three black, queer playwrights/writers Alice Dunbar-Nelson, Mary Powell Burrill and Angelina Weld Grimké, who a century ago, gave voice to the underrepresented and pushed the boundaries of society by advocating for suffrage, LGBTQ and civil rights. “The Best-Self Project” examines race, gender, sexuality and societal roles.  Experienced as a conversation that is interrupted by dance, this solo work incorporates text, audience interaction, and sketch-comedy-inspired improvisation. In this piece, the audience is the star of the show.  

The company will also reprise “Dreamtime,” a seminal repertory work by Elisa Monte.Centered on Australian Aboriginal rituals, this full company work is a wild ride of music and movement that pulsates with grounded, angular movements influenced by ancient tribal ritesthat explore a set pool of movement then moves through hypnotic variations that expand on that theme. Inspired by the lucid state, the company moves through reality into dreamtime.  

On Mother’s Day, May 12 join EMD for a special performance experience. After the show, the dancers of EMD will offer a free, all ages and levels movement class showcasing its brand of modern dance. After the class, the company will offer the audience a special champagne and chocolate reception in honor of Mother’s Day.  

Tickets range from $12 to $27 and can be purchased online at www.TheFlea.org.

Elisa Monte Dance Program  
**All programs are subject to change**

Dreamtime  
1986 Premiere – New York City, NY  
Choreography: Elisa Monte  
Music: David van Teighem  
Original Lighting: Craig Miller  
Costumes: Mimi Trujillo  
Dancers: Tracy Dunbar, Daniela Funicello, Brynlie Helmich, Ashley LaRosa, JoVonna Parks, Sai Rodboon & Thomas Varvaro   

“Dreamtime” is an epic dance work created in 1986 by Elisa Monte and set to a commissioned score by composer David van Tieghem. In commissioning the score, van Tieghem and Monte envisioned a wild ride of music and movement celebrating Australian Aboriginal rituals. This full company work pulsates with grounded, angular movements influenced by ancient tribal rites that explore a set pool of movement then moves through hypnotic variations that expand on that theme. Inspired by the lucid state, the company moves through reality into dreamtime.  

H.E.R.  
(Excerpt) 2020 Premiere – New York City, NY  
Choreography: Tiffany Rea-Fisher  
Music: Erica Lewis-Blunt  
Lighting: Michael Cole  
Costumes: Rachel Dozier-Ezell  
Dancers: Daniela Funicello, *Hannah Gross, Brynlie Helmich, *Harmony Jackson*Madelyn LaLonde, Ashley LaRosa, JoVonna Parks, Sai Rodboon  

“H.E.R.” was commissioned by Harlem Stage as part of their celebration of the Harlem Renaissance Centennial and will premiere in February 2020.  

“H.E.R." pays homage to the artistic work and lives of three black, queer playwrights/writers Alice Dunbar-Nelson, Mary Powell Burrill and Angelina Weld Grimké who a century ago gave voice to the underrepresented and pushed the boundaries of society by advocating for suffrage, LGBTQ and civil rights. Celebrating the sound and style of the 20’s with its ragtime musical influences but moving towards the present, “H.E.R” honors the lineage and legacy of women who refuse to bow down.  

The Best-Self Project  
(Excerpt) 2017 Premiere - New York, NY  
Choreography: Tiffany Rea-Fisher  
Music: Antony and The Johnsons  
Lighting: Michael Cole  
Costume: Rachel Dozier-Ezell  
Dancer: JoVonna Parks  

“The Best-Self Project,” is an indirect response to our current social climate that examines race, gender, sexuality and societal roles.  Experienced as a conversation that is interrupted by dance, this solo work breaks the mold for a traditional concert dance piece and incorporates text, audience interaction, and sketch-comedy-inspired improvisation. In this piece, the audience is the star of the show.  

And Then They Were  
World Premiere – 2019 New York City, NY  
Choreography: Tiffany Rea-Fisher  
Music: Bang on a Can 1/2 & 2/1  
Lighting: Michael Cole  
Costumes: Rachel Dozier-Ezell  
Dancers: Tracy Dunbar, Daniela Funicello, Brynlie Helmich, Ashley LaRosa, Sai Rodboon & Thomas Varvaro   

“And Then They Were” is a reaction to the turbulent nature of the world seen as a meditation via movement. This ethereal work celebrates the moments of beauty and light hidden in the everyday. The first repertory piece for EMD that incorporates pointe work into its choreography but stays true to the modern dance canon, “And Then They Were” employs pointe work to find new shapes and modalities and offers audiences a different facet of EMD’s signature style.  

 

About Elisa Monte Dance  
Elisa Monte Dance (EMD) bridges cultural barriers through the universal language of dance. Now in its 38th year, EMD is hailed around the world for its visceral and physical style of movement that embraces diverse cultural influences. The organization was founded in 1981, by former Martha Graham dancer Elisa Monte to bridge cultural barriers through dance. In 2016, Ms. Monte retired, and Tiffany Rea-Fisher was appointed the company’s new Artistic Director. Rea-Fisher has been with EMD for 15 years and was a principal dancer with the company from 2004-2010 before becoming Associate Artistic Director in 2010 and Artistic Director in 2016. Under Rea-Fisher’s direction, the company has expanded its scope and vision to become a truly 21st Century organization; flourishing, growing, and expanding its network and reach outside of the traditional modern dance sphere. From community dance classes to stadiums filled with thousands of spectators, EMD’s new leadership has shown that modern dance can be accessible and relatable to people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds.  

About The Flea Theater  
The Flea Theater, under Artistic Director Niegel Smith and Producing Director Carol Ostrow, is one of New York's leading Off-Off-Broadway companies. Winner of several Obie Awards, a Special Drama Desk Award for outstanding achievement and an Otto Award for political theater, The Flea has presented over 100 theatrical, musical and dance performances since its inception in 1996. Past productions include premieres by Steven Banks, Thomas Bradshaw, Erin Courtney, Bathsheba Doran, Will Eno, Karen Finley, Amy Freed, Sarah Gancher, Sean Graney, A.R. Gurney, Jennifer Haley, Hamish Linklater, Enrique Gutiérrez, Ellen McLaughlin, Ortiz Monasterio, Itamar Moses, Anne Nelson, NSangou Njikam, Qui Nguyen, Adam Rapp, Jonathan Reynolds, Kate Robbins, Roger Rosenblatt, Todd Solondz, Elizabeth Swados, and Mac Wellman.  Successes include Drama Desk nominated She Kills Monsters, New York Times Critics’ Pick Inanimate, Syncing Ink, These Seven Sicknesses, Restoration Comedy, The Mysteries and ten World Premiere productions by A.R. Gurney, including the WSJ Best New Play of 2013, Family Furniture.